CHARTER YACHT SOVEREIGN

Captain Name: Stephen Burke

Captain Nationality: Australian

Number of Crew: 14

STEPHEN BURKE | CAPTAIN | AUSTRALIA
Stephen was born and raised in rural New South Wales, Australia. He was always one to be involved in various sports and
outdoor activities and represented his home state in Field Hockey. Immediately after graduating from High School, he attended
The University of Wollongong NSW, to study Exercise Science. Soon after he received his Bachelor of Science and worked as a
Personal Fitness Trainer, before the overwhelming urge to travel overseas grew.
At 24, Stephen set forth on a traveling adventure beginning in Europe. While in the Balearic Islands of Spain, he discovered the
once unknown life of yachting and completed his first Transatlantic crossing in 1996. Shortly after that he began working as a junior
Deckhand on 40-50m motor yachts.
Along the way, Stephen has been well mentored by prolific Captains in the industry and worked his way through the ranks steadily
for over 17 years from Deckhand and Bosun to Deck Officer and Captain. His welcoming demeanor, enthusiasm for travel, and keen
sense of leadership lend itself perfectly to the role of Captain.
Waters Cruised: Atlantic Ocean, East and Western Mediterranean, Baltic and North Seas, the Caribbean, East and West coast of
USA (including Alaska).
Licenses & Certificates: STCW95, MCA Master 3,000gt, GMDSS, ISM & ISPS & ECDIS Certified, Bachelor of Science (Exercise
Science), PADI Open Water Diving.
Hobbies: Road cycling, mountain biking, tennis, swimming and adventurous travel
Previous Yachts: Majestic, Harbour Island, Iroquois, Kanaloa, Charisma, Neninka and Kahalani

DAN SFERLE | FIRST OFFICER |ROMANIAN
Dan grew up in Transylvania, Romania and from a young age, had an avid passion for swimming and sports. After completing his high school education, Dan obtained a University degree in Sports and a Master’s degree in Sports Science and Sports Management. Following this, Dan worked as both a swimming and P.E. teacher in schools with children, and as an aqua gym teacher for adults.
At 24 Dan joined the yachting industry in the South of France, later gaining further experience in racing classic sailing yachts.
After 13 years working primarily on motor yachts, he joined Sovereign bringing extensive experience and great enthusiasm to the charter program. As an aspiring Captain, Dan is also working towards his next license upgrade…… Master 3000gt.
Waters Cruised: Western and Eastern Mediterranean, West Atlantic US waters, The Bahamas, Mexico and Panama.
Licenses & Certificates: MCA OOW 3000gt, GMDSS, ECDIS, PADI Rescue Diver, PWC Instructor
Hobbies: All water sports, Diving, Snowboarding, Live music concerts, Outdoor activities

HERVÉ NIACADIE | CHIEF ENGINEER | FRENCH
Hervé originates from the Ivory Coast in West Africa but calls Brittany, Northern France home. He is multilingual in French, Italian, Spanish, and English which has been a great asset for him during his twenty years of experience in the yachting industry. Being a MCA qualified Marine Engineer, Hervé takes great pride in overseeing Sovereign’s technical department ensuring the ultimate comfort and safety of the owners, guests, and crew.
Waters Cruised: Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, North Sea, USA
Licenses & Certificates: Chief Engineer MCA Y2
Hobbies: Family time, Golf, Jogging, Physical Training, Reading, Theater, Traveling and Cinema

PETRONELLA SIVAKOVA | CHIEF STEWARDESS | SLOVAKIAN
Nella grew up in a small town called Humenne on the eastern side of Slovakia. After graduating from The Economic Academy at the age of 19, she moved to London to improve her English. While studying she worked as a Nanny and then got introduced to the top hospitality services by working in Hotel and BP offices as a receptionist.
She always loved traveling and by pure luck she became a Stewardess on a private yacht. She joined her first Motor Yacht in 2006 in Barcelona and still retains the love and passion for the yachting lifestyle 13 years later.
With a keen eye for creative detail and an innate ability to anticipate the needs of others, Nella will be sure to make your vacation on Sovereign unforgettable.
Waters Cruised: Atlantic & Pacific Ocean, Eastern & Western Mediterranean, Bahamas, the Caribbean, East Coast USA & Central America.
Licenses & Certificates: ELLE Make-up Artist & Fashion Stylist course, New build Leadership Development course, Wine & Whiskey courses, STCW 10, Open water Diving certificate, Proficiency Designated Security duties, Level 2 Food safety & hygiene certificate
Hobbies: Music, Fashion, Interior Design, Fine Wining & Dining, Sunshine, being around fun people, exploring the World as well as her growing family at home.
Previous Yachts: Fortunato, Phoenix 2, Pelorus, Venus, Helios, Excellence V, Cloud 9, Freedom

MARKUS ANDERBERG | HEAD CHEF | SWEDISH
Markus was born in a little town in the heart of the southern forests of Sweden. He is a professionally trained chef with 14 years of experience in the service industry. He started young and has worked his way through many restaurants. He was former Head Chef at two of them. After years of working in the basements of some of the top Swedish restaurants, his burning interest for traveling the world took over and encouraged him to join the yachting industry. He is trained in French and modern Scandinavian cooking styles, but with years of traveling and influences from former workplaces he is able to create flavorful and extravagant dishes within most of the worlds cuisines as well as any diets or specifications of your liking. He also has a big passion for desserts and loves experimenting with bread. From a fresh and healthy meal to an extensive several course dinners or parties he will use his knowledge to create the highest quality dishes for you to enjoy. The techniques he uses are often the latest with the help of an extensive molecular gastronomy background, but he is still a massive fan of the old traditional French way.
Waters cruised: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, Eastern US, Scandinavia
Education: 3- years of culinary training at Ryssbygymnasiet, ranked as one of the best private Cooking Schools in Sweden. He is also a PADI specialty dive instructor.
Hobbies: Travelling, Exploring new Cuisines and Cultures, fine wine and Craft Beer, Scuba diving, Freediving and Spearfishing.
Previous yachts: Skat, Rising Sun

CHRISTIAN STOICIU | COUS CHEF | ITALIAN
Cristian was born in Oltenita, Romania and grew up in Rome, Italy. After high school, Cristian attended the cooking Institute I.P.S.S.E.O.A Michelangelo Buonarroti, where he graduated with a 5-year Diploma. He also gained his 600 Hours First Pastrycook certificate.
Since then Cristian’s trade has taken him all over the world, including Italy, Germany, London and Sydney, Australia. He worked at many luxury venues such as Private Chalets, Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants. In 2018, Cristian decided to take his passion of cooking to the sea and began to work on Super Yachts. He is well experienced in Italian and Mediterranean cooking techniques and has a broad knowledge of all world cuisines. He is no stranger to pastry and kneads the fresh pasta dough with experienced hands just like his Grandma did. His cooking style is rustic and pure, well flavored and often prepared the traditional way but served with a modern twist. He’s joined Sovereign with great enthusiasm to present amazing culinary experiences.
Waters cruised: Mediterranean, Eastern US, Bahamas
Education: Diploma of Professional Studies in Culinary & Management – Institute I.P.S.S.E.O.A Michelangelo Buonarroti, Professional Activity Area III First Pastry Cook – 600 Hours – Institute I.P.S.S.E.O.A Michelangelo Buonarroti
Hobbies: Reading, Sports, Gastronomy, Exploring Nature, Travel, Hiking

SIMON-PETER HOSANG | SECOND ENGINEER | JAMAICAN
Simon was born and raised on the north coast of Jamaica, surrounded by rivers and the ocean and where he found his love for swimming and water activities. Simon was also passionate about engineering through racing cars at a young age and was eventually inspired by his older brother, a Chief Engineer on merchant vessels. to follow a career in Marine engineering.
In 2017, after completing his studies, he worked with his brother on oil tankers, before being convinced by a friend to enter the yachting industry. Simon believes he has found his dream job cruising the world and sharing amazing experiences with guests and crew. Waters Cruised: Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas.Licenses & Certificates: OICEW, STCW 95, Advanced firefighting. Hobbies: Playing Football, Pool, Tennis, Watersports, Swimming, Modifying and Racing Cars

KATLIN DAVIS | BOSUN | SOUTH AFRICAN
Kat has been in yachting for 10 years. His love for the water springs from where he grew up. Melkbosstrand on the west coast of Cape Town, RSA. A small surfing town just outside of the city’s footprint. His passion for traveling has afforded him the opportunity to gain a very unique job, this one in particular. Allowing him to fish, surf, kiteboard and do all the watersports one can think of whilst also furthering his career as an Officer and one day becoming a professional Captain and run his own vessel between 130ft and 190ft. At 20, Katlin left Cape Town and went to work on an adventure vessel operating the Mozambique channel on a wave piercing, semi planning stabilized mono-hull, running adventure trips of up to three weeks to some of the most remote places along the East coast of Africa, Including Seychelle’s, Maldives’, Madagascar and Mozambique. After 2 years and many priceless journeys it was time to start his yachting career in Antibes, France. This opened up a world previously unknown to him and started up a passion that has led him to what has become his dream job. Currently Katlin is working towards his Officer of the watch and forever expanding his knowledge and skills on deck and life.
Waters Cruised: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, East and Western Mediterranean, East and West coast of America, the Caribbean and Central America
Licenses & Certificates: Yachtmaster Offshore, AEC, EDH, GMDSS GOC, Watercraft and Powerboat instructor
Hobbies: Dirt & Mountain Biking, Fishing, Hiking, Kiteboarding, Wakeboarding, Trail Running, Long Road Trips, Surfing, Freediving, Diving, Camping and generally Anything to do with Nature and Adventure
Previous Yachts: Samar, Candyscape, Mystique, Bravado, Lady Sura, Missing Link

DANIELLE HADLINGTON | SECOND STEWARDESS | CANADIAN
Danielle was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and has recently resided in both the Bahamas and Mexico. Danielle was first introduced to the yachting industry when she was a provisioning agent in the Bahamas and then while working as a Charter booking agent in Mexico. With an extensive background in Hospitality and Event Management, Danielle knows the importance of superior service and maintaining a high standard of guest satisfaction. With her knowledge of all things nautical, love of adventure, and experience in hospitality, Danielle knew that a career onboard superyachts would be a natural fit! Her long-term aspiration is to work her way up into the role of Purser on large megayachts.
Waters Cruised: South Pacific, West & East Coast US and Canada
Licenses & Certificates: STCW 95, Proficiency in Designated Security Duties, Level 2 Food & Hygiene, Silver Service, Certified Barista
Hobbies: Sailing, Equestrian, Yoga, Running, Water sports, Hiking, and Non-fiction Literature.

MIMI TRUNG | STEWARDESS | BRITISH
Although born in Vietnam to Chinese parents, Mimi grew up in London so she often tells people she experienced
the best of both Eastern and Western cultures in her childhood. She speaks Cantonese as well as English. Growing up in London
she was always curious about different cultures. After graduating from University her adventurous spirit took her backpacking
throughout Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South Africa, and Central America. Mimi enjoys learning new skills which means she
has had various careers from being a Kiwi fruit sorter in New Zealand, Manicurist in England, to Caregiver for the elderly in the US.
Her segue into yachting was a perfect fit and the greatest adventure of her life to date!
Waters Cruised: Mediterranean, USA and Caribbean.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, scuba diving, cycling, fabric arts, reading fictional history novels, and trying cuisines from different
cultures.
Previous Yachts: M/Y Freedom

AMANDA NILSEN | STEWARDESS | AMERICAN
Amanda was born in New Jersey and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication. After college in 2012 she moved to Manhattan, New York where she found a passion in hospitality working for John Georges as a consultant and bartender. After discovering Fire Island, New York she continued pursuing her passion beachside and fell in love with boating. Yachting was a natural progression of utilizing her skills and opening her up to new experiences and world travel. She is a brand new addition to our Sovereign team and is looking forward to delivering the highest service to our guests.
Waters Cruised: Northeast United States, Bahamas
Licenses & Certificates: STCW 95, Proficiency Designated Security Duties, Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate for Catering
Hobbies: Poetry, Pilates, Cycling, Hiking, Camping and Sailing

TISH ELHADARY | DECKHAND | AUSTRALIAN
Tish was born in Melbourne Australia and moved to the Northern Beaches of Sydney 6 years ago. He is new to the yachting industry after previously working as a banker. He has a double degree in Commercial Law and Arabic and Middle Eastern studies from 2013. In 2017 he then went to start his own fitness business called Turbo Time and now is a qualified Nutritional Advisor.
Tish is extremely eager to in his new role, as he enjoys being around the water, working hard and entertaining guests.
Waters cruised: Atlantic, Baltic, Caribbean, Mediterranean
Hobbies: Surfing, snowboarding, paddle boarding, running, swimming, hiking, weight training

PRESTON ARGUELLO | DECKHAND | AMERICAN
Preston is originally from a small city on the front range of the Rocky Mountains called Boulder, Colorado. He grew up utilizing the mountainous region for adventurous activities such as hiking, snowboarding, and mountain biking. Although in a land locked state, Preston grew up on the lakes of Colorado using his family’s boat every summer. He played collegiate soccer but also enjoyed the thrill of extreme sports such as surfing and wakeboarding. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance he moved to Australia to work as a cocktail bartender for two years. His interest in the yachting industry came from his love for the sea and his desire to continue traveling. Preston is currently beginning his yachting career in hopes to learn as much as he can from his colleagues and eventually work his way up to becoming a Captain one day.
Waters Cruised: Atlantic, East and Western Mediterranean, North East Coast of the United States, The Caribbean
Licenses & Certifications: STCW, ENG 1, Security Duties for Seafarers
Hobbies: Wakeboarding, Surfing, Camping, Music, Financial Investments, Cocktail Mixology, Craft Brewing, Exploring New Countries

CHRIS PARKER | CHASE BOAT CAPTAIN | BRITISH
Chris comes from Cornwall, the South-West coast of England. He grew up in a large family with five brothers, enjoying boating and water sports. Prior to yachting, he was a former High School Drama Teacher and that ability to entertain certainly comes through in his colorful personality. Chris is a good boat handler and communicator, although firmly focused on guest comfort and safety at the same time. He returns to the Sovereign crew, this time as Chase Boat Captain, having served as Bosun last year.
Waters Cruised: Pacific, Atlantic, Eastern USA, Caribbean and Mediterranean
Licenses & Certificates: MCA Yachtmaster Offshore, A.E.C, STCW 95, Rescue Diver
Education: Post Graduate Certificate in Education, MA Theater Practice, BA Hons Drama Studies
Hobbies: Soccer, Wakeboarding, Playing the guitar.
Previous Yachts: Sovereign, 7J’s, Jamaica Bay III